Former Proteas players come out to defend Boucher in racism saga

The South African head coach, Mark Boucher, will be facing a disciplinary hearing in May on accounts of hurling racial slurs at a fellow player. Paul Adams, the former Proteas spinner, accused Boucher of being part of a group called him "brown sh*t" while they shared the dressing room for South Africa.

The tale has taken a dramatic turn as five former South African players. One former Proteas coach seems to have told a South African newspaper, Rapport, that the racial nicknames were very common and were not offensive in an offensive manner.

They also revealed that several players, including Paul Adams, called Boucher a "white cu*t" in the Proteas dressing room.

"Mark has a whole arsenal of facts about Paul: What his nicknames were for Mark and what Paul called the other players," revealed one source.

"It was all joking, and as far as I can remember, no one was upset at the time," added the player.

Boucher will be facing the disciplinary hearings on 16-20th May as his lawyer, Mohammed Chavoos, welcomed these dates for the inquiry.

"We welcome this ruling, and it gives Mark the opportunity to focus on his duties as the head coach," said Mr Chavoos.

"It also enables his legal team to properly prepare for the May hearings. Mark also looks forward to establishing that the allegations against him are misconstrued and unjustified," added the lawyer. 

Mark Boucher, meanwhile, expressed that it's only the cricketing performance of his team in recent series that has given him any solace in these difficult personal times. South Africa has managed to win against India and Bangladesh and drew against the Black Caps, while their head coach is going through emotional turmoil.

"Yes, the past few months have been tough. I've really enjoyed coaching the guys. On the cricketing side of things, we've got a very tight unit coming together. I've enjoyed being around them and seeing their development," said Boucher.

"Outside of that, it would be quite difficult for me to say that I've enjoyed (my job). I believe that's just being honest. I don't think anyone in my situation can enjoy things with what's been put on my plate. I enjoyed the cricket things. That's it," expressed the head coach revealing his mental state.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has set up an independent inquiry that includes a charge sheet with the following assertions-

"The nature of your misconduct is gross and of such a serious nature to warrant termination of your employment."

"Your conduct has resulted in an irretrievable breakdown in the trust relationship between you and CSA. In the circumstances, the sanction of dismissal will be sought before the Chairperson of the disciplinary enquiry," the sheet states.

The CSA has also put up several accusations against Boucher, some of which are:

Historically repeatedly used racist and/or offensive and/or inappropriate nicknames regarding a Proteas team-mate.

Having had your racist and/or offensive and/or inappropriate utterances drawn to your attention, you failed to adequately and/or sufficiently and/or appropriately apologize for these utterances and/or acknowledge the racist nature of these utterances and/or hurt that they caused.

You have conducted yourself in a racist or subliminally racist manner; and/or 

You have conducted yourself in a manner that is unbecoming of an employee in your position

Your conduct has brought CSA into disrepute.

With the former players and coach coming in to support Boucher, the matter has fallen into a new dimension. The inquiry committee has its task cut out to reach the bottom of the issue and bring out a fair ruling.